Vinyl

As the six of us file into Sugar Cube Corner, I look around through Time Turner's eyes at Cadance, Luna, Tavi, Twilight, and Shining Armor.
"All right." Cadance says, sighing softly. "So, how does this work?"
"Well," Shining Armor says. "We receive reports from our scouts concerning the location and size of the changeling camps. We trek out and contact the changelings peacefully, and while we do that, Luna uses a simple replication spell to make enough maps to go around, and then we send them on their way with a warning: Next time they enter Equestrian territory, we won't extend them the same mercy again."
"How do you tell if they're the same changelings as before? They all look alike."
"Luna's maps are enchanted. Any person or changeling that unrolls it is marked with an easily detectable magical aura. Not only does it help identify which changelings we've already warned, but if they're infiltrating Equestria, then we'll know which citizens are changelings and which ones are civilians."
There is a long pause.
"There's only one camp tonight, at the edge of the Everfree. We'll head out and send them on their way."
As we walk, Cadance and Shining Armor speak in hushed tones, giving each other meaningful glances until they finally hug. I lean in a little closer, and can just make out Cadance saying "I'm sorry."
Looks like the Changeling Relocation Squad won't have to meet at night any more.
All in all, things went better than expected.
When we get to the camp, the changelings don't hear us until we're practically right behind them. I motion for the others to stay back, and step forward.
"Hello." I say quietly.
The changelings jump and rush to draw their weapons, but I step in and grab one's arm as it draws its sword.
"I'm not here to fight. None of us are. We just want to help you get out of here."
The changelings lower their blades, and the lead one sighs.
"The tales are true, then." he says.
"There are tales?" I ask. "Cool."
I levitate a bunch of maps to me and hand them out to each changeling. After they're gone, I turn to Cadance and give her a wink before teleporting back to the hospital.
All right. Who's next?
I am.
Actually, get some sleep, Sweetie Belle. I'll take over tomorrow.
You sure? I don't mind staying up, and you need your sleep.
I'm sure. You're not used to this.
All right. Good night, Vinyl.
Good night, Sweetie Belle.
I float protectively over my lifeless body, keeping watch for something I can't quite place. A creeping horror, a nameless fear...
"...Need to talk to you about something."
Startled by Cadance's voice, I float towards the sound. I float into the Princess's room and see Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash standing in front of Cadance as she paces back and forth, a concerned frown on her face.
"A while back, the three of you promised to aid me in my quest; to help me eliminate every changeling upon the face of this land."
"That's right." Rainbow Dash says. "And we're still ready and willing. Where do you need us to go?"
Cadance sighs and stops pacing, gritting her teeth as if preparing for a blow.
"Nowhere."
There is a long and awkward silence.
"Whatever do you mean, Your Majesty?" Rarity asks, placing a hand on Cadance's shoulder. She shrugs the hand off and looks down at the ground, sighing again.
"What I mean is that I'm done. I've... Forgiven them."
"What!?" the three ask, incredulous.
"Have you, by any chance, forgotten what they've done to us?" Rarity asks. "Have you forgotten your kidnapping? The tortures we endured? The state Ponyville was in? How could you possibly forgive them after all they've done!?"
"The ones responsible have been brought to justice. I see now how foolish I was to try and destroy an entire race for the sins of a small group."
"They've gotten to her." Rainbow Dash says, examining Cadance closely. "They've brainwashed her, just like they did with Shining Armor and what they tried to do with us!"
"I haven't been brainwashed! I'm fine!"
"Forgive me fer this, Princess..." Applejack says, unbelting her hammer. "But Ah'll need ta restrain ya until we can get someone like Twilight ta fix yer brain."
Cadance pretends to trip, then darts in between Applejack and Rarity before they can react.
"After her!" Rainbow Dash says, flying after Cadance.
I have to do something!
I fly into Rainbow Dash's body.
Sorry about this, Dashie...
Vinyl? What are you doing in my head?
I look into my memories, and project the feeling of intense fatigue after a fight in the Hyperbolic Time Chamber onto her. Rainbow Dash slows to a halt, sitting down with a confused look on her face.
"Is something the matter?" Rarity asks.
"I'm... really... tired." Rainbow Dash pants. "And I don't... know... why!"
I can't let you catch up to Cadance!
"So you're in on this too!?" Rainbow Dash yells.
"What are you talking about?" Rarity asks.
They can't hear me. Cadance hasn't been brainwashed, I swear! If she was, Twilight would've noticed when we were out!
Out? Out where?
Twilight will explain everything later. Just call off the chase, or I'll have to stop you with something stronger.
No way! I need to stop Cadance before she goes and does something stupid!
Fear fills Dash's mind, and she gets to her feet.
What if she frees Chrysalis!? I need to stop her NOW!
She starts flying, faster than before.
I'm sorry, Dash, but I can't let you do that.
Make me tired all you want! It won't stop me!
You've forced my figurative hand, Rainbow Dash...
I grab a memory more recent, and I show Rainbow Dash what it feels like to die.

I float away from Rainbow Dash's unconscious body, and make sure she'll be all right.
I didn't expect her to ram top speed into a wall like that!
Rarity and Applejack come running, and gasp when they see Rainbow Dash lying on the floor.
"What happened?" Rarity asks.
"I dunno, but we've gotta get her ta Twilight!" Applejack says. "She's probably got a healin' spell she can use on Rainbow Dash."
Applejack picks up Rainbow Dash's body and slings it onto her shoulder, looking back at the hallway Cadance darted down before turning and running towards Twilight's room.
It's out of my hands now. I hope I did the right thing...

The Next Morning

Scratch's Log: Day 5. Bored. Very bored. Bored out of my MIIIIIIIIIIND.
"You could always, I don't know, go outside?"
I stop pacing the hospital room long enough to give Tavi a withering look.
"There's nothing to do outside either." I say in Scootaloo's voice. "Man, is that weird. I think I'll stick to talking with my mind until my body's better."
Tavi sighs and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"Look." she says. "You can either stay in here moping about how bored you are, or you could go out there and try and enjoy yourself. You're a pegasus for now, after all. Why not try your hand at flying?"
I dash out the door, eager for something to do.

The Next Night

Gah! I can't BELIEVE this!
How many times do I have to apologize, Scootaloo? I'm sorry for crashing into that tree. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Now will you let it go already?
No! I'm stuck with a broken arm, thanks to your lousy flying!
Cut me some slack! It was my first time! Besides, pegasi heal faster than unicorns do. At least you aren't stuck like me.
Oh, yes. Nothing could be worse than having super-cool ghost powers.
Well, then, if you like my situation so much, then why don't we trade places? I can have a silly little broken arm, and you can be stuck not being able to talk, or touch things, or taste things, or smell things! Oh, and did I mention that the longer you stay a ghost, the crazier you get!? No, I don't think I did! By the way, the longer you stay like this, the crazier you get!
Okay, okay. You've made your point.
"Vinyl?" Cadance's voice calls. "Vinyl, where are you?"
I'm in here with you.
"She's in here with me!" Scootaloo calls. Cadance walks into the room, looking around, as if trying to find me.
"Where is she?" Cadance asks.
"She's floating around somewhere in this room." Scootaloo replies. "She can hear you, so just say what you need to say."
"All right. Twilight and I have managed to remove the enchantment around your wound, so you can return to your body if you want. However, it'll take another day to heal if you do, so you could also stay as a ghost until tomorrow and then enter your body when it's fully healed."
Are you kidding? I'm going back NOW!
"She says, 'Are you kidding? I'm going back.'" Scootaloo relays.
I float back to my body and look at it.
It's still... really pale. Oh well. If Cadance says it's okay for me to go back, then...
I float into my body, and searing pain envelops my side.
OW! OWW! OOOOOOOOW! MAKEITGOAWAYMAKEITGOAWAYMAKEITGOAWAY!
I look down at my side and see blackness forming under my hospital gown where the cut is, growing darker and darker. The pain intensifies until I have to screw my eyes shut to block it out.
The pain keeps growing and growing and growing and growing and growing...
Until, almost as suddenly as it arrived, it's gone.
Stunned, I look down at my side and lift my gown to see...
Nothing.
No cut, no darkness, nothing.
"Huh?"
I get up off of the cot and examine myself in a nearby mirror. I'm still kinda pale, although I'm getting less paler by the second. I casually levitate my shades towards me...
And they hit me in the head.
Confused, I pick them up from where they fell...
And they slam into the ceiling.
As they fall, I catch them with magic, and rather than slowing to a stop, as things I pick up would normally do after falling, they stop outright, coming to a stiff hover exactly where they are.
I look down at my necklace and gasp.
My necklace, instead of glowing its trademark cobalt blue, is now glowing a jet black color, as dark as a starless night. I look over at my shades and see them enveloped in a black aura.
What is going on here?
I grab my shades from the air, and put them on, resolving to tell Twilight about this later. I slowly walk out of the room, and Cadance almost bowls me over.
"Are you all right?" she asks. "I heard you screaming from the other room, and-"
"I'm fine." I say. "Something happened, though."
I gesture to where my cut was and lift my gown, showing Cadance.
"How did this happen?" she asks, amazed. "Not even I can heal a cut that quickly!"
"I don't know." I reply. "But it hurt. A lot."
"I heard her! She's up ahead!" a voice calls. Cadance pales, and she turns to me.
"Listen." she says. "I'll be hiding in the hedge maze. Come see me there should you need me."
"What's going on?" I ask.
"They're still after me!" she yells as she runs away. "They've never stopped chasing me ever since I told them I'd changed my mind!"
Cadance turns a corner and disappears from view just in time for Rainbow Dash to zoom into the corridor, Applejack following closely behind.
"Cadance was here." Rainbow Dash says. "Where'd she go?"
"She didn't tell me." I reply. "She left as soon as she heard you."
"Dang it!" Rainbow Dash says. "How are we supposed to tell her we're sorry if she just keeps running away!?"
"Just give her time, Rainbow." Applejack says, putting a hand on her friend's shoulder. "She'll realize eventually."
Rainbow Dash sighs in resignation, turning to me.
"Good to see you're back on your feet, Vinyl."
"Good to be back." I reply, smiling.
"Twilight wanted ta see you." Applejack says, pointing down the hallway. "She's in the library."
"Thanks."
I walk to the library door and knock three times.
The door swings open, and someone wraps me in a gigantic bear hug.
"I'm so glad you're back to normal." Octavia says.
"You're awake!" Twilight says from somewhere behind Octavia. "Octavia, I know this is important to you, but I need to assess Vinyl's physical and magical state. She might not have recovered all the way, so can you please leave me to it? If she's good to go, she'll tell you herself. If not, I'll let you know."
Octavia lets go and walks out of the room, giving me a small smile. I turn and walk over to where Twilight's set up some kind of platform. Weird runes line the edges of it, and a strange symbol sits inside the ring.
"All right. Now just step onto this rune right here..." Twilight says, ushering me onto the platform. "And I can see how much you've recovered."
I step onto the rune, and the entire circle starts glowing a bright blue. A ring of light emanates from the floor, rising up past my waist, then my neck, and coming to a stop above my head.
"Everything's good, except..." Twilight looks at my necklace, puzzled. "Your necklace. Something's off about it."
"Oh yeah." I say. "I was gonna tell you. My magic's gone all screwy, and I don't know why."
"Really? Care to demonstrate?"
"Sure." I focus on a book lying on a nearby table, and levitate it upwards.
After slamming into the ceiling, the book starts falling. I catch it with magic, and the thing just stops right then and there, just like my shades did.
"It's a lot stronger now." I say. "And it's black."
The blue ring drops down to my necklace and closes around my neck, glowing an odd purple color.
Twilight stares at the ring for a few minutes, as if looking for something...
"I've got it!" she says triumphantly. "Don't worry, it's nothing detrimental. I hope."
"What is it?"
"Well, it's actually a few things. First of all: It looks like there was still just a hint of Chrysalis's magic infused into your wound; Trixie and I must not have purged it all. Second: you've been using your Element outside your own body. Third: You've also been using it as if it were your magic, channeling it through the same ways you would normal magic, even though it's not normal magic."
"What does all that mean?"
"What is means is that when you went back into your body, your normal magic and your Element tried to occupy the same space when they can't."
"Skip all the science and get to the point already! What's happened to me?"
"Basically, your magic and your Element have been fused. Whenever you use one, you use the other, hence the black aura and stronger telekinesis. Both of them are stronger as a result, but both will be used up faster."
"So that's a good thing?"
"As long as you're careful. You've only got one source of energy now instead of two, and if you don't keep track of how much energy you have, you could overexert yourself, and that'd be really bad."
"So no big deal. I'll just keep training, and then I'll have a ton of energy."
"If that's how your Element works, then yes. I've been told they act differently. I've got to find out how Celestia and Luna know all of this. This is fascinating stuff!"
"What bout my cut?" I ask. "It just went away after I got back into my body. Hurt a lot, but now it's gone."
"Really?" Twilight asks. "Let me see."
I lift my gown and show Twilight the cut. The purple ring around my necklace collects itself into a green ball and hovers over the cut, turning red in places.
"This is interesting." Twilight says. "It's got a lot of magical residue around it, as if a healing spell's been used on it. Tell me, have you ever used your Element without realizing it?"
"Not really, although teleporting's become almost second nature to me now."
"Well, the closest explanation I can come up with is that now that your magic and your Element are fused, you instinctively used your Element to heal yourself, which would explain the magical residue and the pain; healing spells often do that."
"That all?" I ask.
"Yep. You've got a clean bill of health."
I walk out of the library, and see the others waiting for me. I give them a smile and a little wave.
"I'm gonna go see Cadance." I say to Tavi. "Tell her what's up."
"Tell her we're sorry too." Rainbow Dash says. "If she's too stubborn to listen to us, she'll listen to you."
"Right."
I concentrate...
And, almost before I visualize the hedge maze, I'm there.
"Wow." I say, looking around. "Freaky."
"Vinyl?" Cadance's voice calls. "Is that you?"
"Yeah." I reply.
"You're alone, right?"
"Yeah."
"Good."
Cadance steps out from a bush, a devious grin on her face and a few leaves in her hair.
"Why are you hiding?" I ask.
"I want to make sure the three of them - Applejack, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash - don't find me until I want to be found, that's all."
"Wait." I say, narrowing my eyes. "You know they're sorry?"
"Of course! Twilight told me ages ago."
"Then why are you still acting as if they're trying to catch you?"
"Because it's fun."
"Because it's..."
"Fun, yes. I haven't had this much fun in a long, long while. It's nice to cut loose every now and again."
"I could get behind that if it didn't make other people feel bad in the process."
Cadance sighs.
"I guess. But still; it's been such a long time since I've ever pulled one over on anyone. Besides, they need to learn that making rash judgements can sometimes have really big consequences."
Cadance sighs, and a wistful look crosses her face.
"I used to be a top-of-the-line trickster, but Shining's been a big stick-in-the-mud lately, and you know how the guards are. My Prankster's Gambit is the lowest it's ever been."
"Your what?"
"Nothing. So, how'd things go with Twilight?"
"Well, my magic's a bit wonky, but I'm A-okay otherwise."
"Wonky?"
I sigh.
"I'll explain on the way back." I say.

One Week Later

Time Turner

As I examine the hands of the largest clock I've ever seen, taken from the recently destroyed clock tower, I scowl.
Do they even make parts this big any more? I guess I could ask around...
I send out a thought message to Vinyl and Octavia back in Canterlot.
Do either of you know any clockmakers or clock repairmen in Canterlot?
The faint smell of licorice enters my mind, and Octavia answers.
I know of one. He's not exactly... Reliable, though.
What do you mean?
The guy's a total nutcase.
Vinyl, please. He's 'eccentric'.
Which is fancy-talk for nutcase. Nobody knows his real name: He insists on being called 'The Doctor' and nothing else. Keeps ranting about random space-time mumbo-jumbo.
If you can get in contact with him, though, he'll provide any clock or clock part one needs, even if they have numbers on them that aren't real numbers...
Or come in colors nobody's ever seen before...
Or make odd sounds when the alarm goes off...
Or smell like what red looks like...
Would you mind asking him for...
I recheck the model number on the clock tower's clock.
A spare balance gear for a Tennant Mark X?
I'm opening for Neon in a bit near the guy's weird half-floating blue house. I'll ask him then. But if I don't contact you by tomorrow, I've been whisked away to have totally awesome adventures throughout the whole of time and space.
Vinyl, everyone knows that's just a rumor.
A totally cool rumor.
But it's still a rumor.
I leave them to their bickering return to working on the gigantic clock. After half an hour or so, the bell attached to the door of my shop rings, and I turn to find myself face-to-face with a grinning Pinkie Pie. I sigh inwardly and brace myself...
"How can I help you?" I ask, smiling.
"Do you know what time it is?" she asks.
I raise an eyebrow and gesture at the hundreds of clocks lining the walls of my shop.
"Yes. It's 5:31 and 42 seconds."
"Nope!"
There is a long pause.
"Soooooooooo..." Pinkie says, leaning towards me expectantly.
"So what?"
"Aren't you gonna ask me what time it is if it isn't 5:31 and 42 seconds?"
"All right. What time is-"
"It's PARTY TIME!"
Pinkie Pie grabs my by the arm and pulls me out of my shop. Around the entrance stand a crowd of Ponyvillians, each one beaming at me and holding a cupcake.
"I'd been having so much fun inviting the whole town to our big 'We Beat Nightmare Moon And Queen Chrysalis' party that I almost came close to nearing the point where there might have maybe started to possibly be a very small chance of me forgetting to invite you!"
I look around at all the smiling people, every one of them extremely grateful to me for helping save them...
And I stop time.
Or, at least, I try to. It's off-and-on like that.
As it is, I just stand there, concentrating intently, while the crowd watches in a semi-awkward silence.
"Aren't you excited?" Pinkie Pie asks.
"Yes." I say, more than a hint of sarcasm in my voice. "There's nothing I enjoy more than being gawked at... Or being the center of attention..."
"Really?" Pinkie Pie says. "Awesome! There's plenty of that where we're going!"
"Oh boy..."

Octavia

"He's totally a time traveler." Vinyl says, giving me a pointed glance as she leaves for her gig.
"He's not a time traveler, Vinyl." I reply.
As she leaves the house, a faint whooshing noise starts from behind me, and a sudden gust of wind hits my back. I turn around to see a sphere of darkness begin to appear behind me, growing more solid by the second. I quickly engage my bow and nock an arrow on the string, ready to fire...
And the globe solidifies into Twilight Sparkle, holding a large book in her right hand.
I put the arrow back into my cello and close the neck, turning the bow itself back into a harmless cello bow.
"My apologies." I say. "You startled me."
"It's fine." Twilight replies. "The Princess wants you and Vinyl to come to Ponyville with me."
She looks around and frowns.
"Where's Vinyl?"
"She's performing right now. She'll be back in half an hour."
Twilight's eyes widen, and she opens her book.
"This is bad! We don't have half an hour! The Princess needs you two right now!"
"Calm down, Twilight. What does she even need us for?"
"She wants to honor all of us for saving Equestria. It's a very important and official event and we absolutely can't be late for it! Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to find a locator spell..."
"No need." I say, as Twilight starts rifling through her book, turning to one bookmark after another. "Vinyl's at Canterlot Square Gardens, just a few minutes away."
I grab my coat and open the door for Twilight as we make our way to where Vinyl's playing.

Vinyl

"Ladies and gentlemen..."
I slowly fade the music down to nothing as the announcer's voice comes on over the intercom.
"Let's give a big hand to Canterlot's own DJ PON-3!"
The crowd in front of me goes wild with applause, and I grin.
Vinyl Scratch is back in business, baby!
"Now for our main attraction..." the voice says. "Give it up for Neon Lights!"
The crowd's applause grows even louder as Neon takes the stage, giving me a high-five before I walk offstage and out of the building, breathing in the crisp Canterlot air.
Now for The Doctor...
I walk a few blocks over to a small blue hut perched on the edge of a small cliff. I walk to the door and knock softly, so as not to accidentally tip the poor guy's house over.
"I'm not here!" A voice calls from inside.
"Come on, Doc." I say. "I just need help with a clock, that's all."
After a minute or so, the door opens, and a man who looks a lot like Time Turner beckons me inside.
"Ah, yes." He says. "Octavia, is it?"
"No." I say. "Vinyl, remember? I came here after the clock in my house broke."
"Sorry. Wrong reality."
I chuckle and step into The Doctor's house. He looks at me expectantly, as if wanting me to say something.
"What?" I ask.
"Oh, nothing. Just... You aren't surprised or anything?"
"Oh, that. I've been here before, remember? I know it's bigger on the inside. Besides, I've seen another room a lot like this one."
The Doctor looks puzzled, but I cut him off before he can ask me anything.
I'm not here to chat. I'm here for a clock piece, that's all.
"I need a balance gear to a Tennant Mark X." I say.
"Really?" The Doctor say, walking over to a blue cupboard - why is everything blue in his house? - and opening it to reveal a massive collection of gears, springs, hands, and other clock parts. "What do you need with a gear that big?"
"I don't need anything." I reply. "My friend's fixing a clock tower, and he needs a gear."
"Well, here's the gear you need." he says, pulling out a gear easily as large as my head. "Have a good one."
"You too." I say, walking out of his house.
The gear's heavier than I expected, so I have to stop and rest halfway along the trip back. As I sit on a park bench, I see Twilight Sparkle, of all people, run past me.
"Twilight?" I ask. "What are you doing in Canterlot?"
"Vinyl!" she says, relief in her voice. "There you are! We've been looking all over for you! The Princess needs you and Octavia right away!"
Octavia runs into view.
"Oh, there you are." she says. "Twilight's taking us to Ponyville."
"She's taking you to Ponyville." I correct. "I'm already there."
"Huh?" Octavia asks. "But you're-"
I stop borrowing my clone's senses and dispel it, snickering as I imagine the looks on their faces. I look up from the park bench I'm sitting on and locate Time Turner's store/house. Grabbing the giant gear from beside me, I knock on the door.
No answer.
While I wait, I look around the town...
Ponyville looks almost... deserted.
Vinyl! You're here!? Please, come quick! I need your help! I'm trapped in Ponyville Town Hall!
I draw my katana and create two clones. One takes to the rooftops, while the other one runs through the back alleys in order to get to the back entrance of the building next to me.
What's wrong? Changelings? Nightmare Moon? Zombie ponies?
Worse.
I approach the door to town hall and wait until my clones are in position.
Daring rescue in 3... 2... 1...
I kick the door open and dive through the door, katana at the ready.
"Vinyl!" a voice - one that sounds oddly like Luna's - calls. "You made it! Come and join the feast!"
I look up from my crouching position to see Ponyville partying away, with Time Turner, the CMC, their older sisters, Fluttershy, and the two Princesses sitting at a long table, sweets and pastries of every kind arrayed in front of them.
I sit down next to Time Turner, sheathing my katana and dispelling my clones as I do so.
"Worse, huh?" I say.
"Kill me now." He replies, grimacing.
"It can't be that bad, can it?" I ask.
Time Turner simply gestures to a colossal cake with 'To The Saviors Of Ponyville!' written on it in bright red frosting, along with frosting drawings of our heads below the words.
"Exactly!" I say. "Come on, enjoy yourself!"
Just then, Twilight and Octavia burst in, both with worried expressions on their faces.
"Oh, there you guys are!" I call. "Have some cake! It's delicious!"
Octavia smiles and shrugs, while Twilight's face runs a gauntlet of emotions, ranging from surprise to mortal terror to rage to... resignation.
"Whatever." she says quietly.
She walks over to the table and takes a seat right next to Princess Celestia, who gives her a warm smile.
"Now that everyone's here..." Celestia says, standing up. "I can begin."
The crowd falls silent and stops dancing as Celestia begins her speech.
"Today, we are gathered here to honor the twelve people who helped save not only this town, but all of Equestria itself. If it were not for the skill, bravery, and dedication of these heroes, my beloved sister would have been lost to me forever. The two of us wish to give gifts to these twelve remarkable people."
Celestia turns to us and fires up her necklace. Twelve objects, each one wreathed in a different element, appear and float in front of us in order, their element disappearing as they're announced.
"To Octavia, who fought bravely even in the face of great despair, I give a crossbow violin, and bolts made of the brightest sunlight. They shall never run out, and you shall never have to retrieve them."
Octavia takes the small crossbow disguised as a violin and examines it, smiling and placing it next to her cello.
Luna stands up next to her sister and presents the next gift.
"To Vinyl Scratch, who surprised us all with her bravery, I give a cloak woven of shadows. May it guard you from the sight of anyone who may wish you harm."
I take the cloak and watch it morph first into a cape, then a large t-shirt, then a suit, then a blanket.
"Sweet!" I say wrapping the blanket around me and watching as it turns into a hoodie.
"To Time Turner, who helped others before thinking of himself, I give gloves made of a metal cloth."
As Celestia finishes her sentence, Time Turner puts on the gloves and looks at the Princess curiously.
"These gloves conduct electricity twice as much as any other metal. Using them, a single touch is enough to incapacitate someone without hurting them."
Time Turner looks at the gloves again and nods contentedly.
"To Sweetie Belle, Applebloom, and Scootaloo, for their immense courage in times of danger, we give necklaces inlaid with many enchantments."
The three take the gems, all hanging on golden chains, and put them around their necks.
"For you, Scootaloo," Celestia says. "You will be able to withstand the greatest heat or the direst cold without noticing any difference."
"For you, Sweetie Belle," Luna says. "You will be able see in total darkness and your magic will be strengthened greatly.
And for you, Applebloom, you will have the ability to hear the softest footfalls, as well as the speed of a pegasus in flight."
"And now," Celestia says. "To honor the other people who helped bring about this town's salvation."
"To Rainbow Dash," Luna says. "I give weightless armor, capable of withstanding mighty blows and delivering even mightier ones."
Rainbow Dash puts on the armor, lowering the helmet onto her head with an expression of glee on her face.
"To Miss Rarity," Celestia says. "I give a dress with the ability to change the wearer into anything or anyone she so desires."
Rarity examines the dress and finally slips it on, immediately changing into Granny Smith, then Luna, then back into Rarity.
"To Pinkie Pie," Luna says. "I give a ball that can change its size and composition at the bearer's command."
Pinkie Pie takes the ball and bounces it a couple times, giggling as she changes it into random sizes.
"To Applejack," Celestia says. "I give a hat that endows the bearer with strength tenfold."
Applejack puts on the stetson and adjusts it, nodding in approval.
"To Fluttershy," Luna says. "I give a bracelet that allows the bearer to move through solid objects."
Fluttershy puts on the bracelet and plunges her arm into the wall next to her, eyes wide with wonder.
"And, finally, to my beloved student, Twilight Sparkle, who saved Ponyville by rescuing the Elements of Harmony and imprisoning Queen Chrysalis forever in the Everfree Forest," Celestia says. "I give you a blade crafted by my sister and I, as well as a shield enchanted by Shining Armor and Princess Cadance. May they serve you well in your adventures."
Twilight takes the sword and shield with an air of extreme reverence, bowing low before Celestia stops her.
"My student, my friend..." she says, smiling at Twilight. "You bow to no one."
The two of them hug, and the crowd goes wild.